Atom Division pitching distance is thirty six and one-half feet (36-1/2’). Base distance is fifty-five feet (55’). From the plate to

the center of 2nd base is seventy-seven feet nine and three eights inches (77’ 9-3/8”).

2. Rule 1, Sec 7 (Page 10) - Replace with:

The official baseballs are the RCC (Rawlings) or A1030B (Spaulding) for Atom through Intermediate and R01(Rawlings) or

R 100 (Spaulding) for Juvenile and Junior.

3. Rule 1, Sec 16 (Page 11) - Replace with:

Batters, base runners and players participating as base coaches must wear a flapped helmet. The ‘on deck’ batter must wear a helmet if on the playing field (in foul territory). Manager MUST advise players to wear a helmet.

In the Atom and Bantam Divisions, the batter shall be automatically out on three (3) strikes (including a dropped third strike).

The ball is dead.

16. Rule 6, Sec 5.O (Page 34) - Replace with:

Each batter will receive one warning for releasing a bat in a forceful and dangerous manner. For the second or subsequent

offense by the same batter, the batter will be called out and the ball is dead. If a batter throws a bat in anger, disgust or a

display of temper, the batter will be called out; unless he has been called out for another reason, the ball is dead and the player ejected with no warning.

17. Rule 6, Sec 8.A (Page 36) - Delete the NOTE.

18. Rule 7, Sec 1.A (Page 39) - Replace with:

In the Atom and Bantam Divisions: A lead-off will NOT be allowed. After the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand, stealing of second and third will be allowed. If a play is made on a runner stealing second and overthrown, the runner may advance only to third. A base runner on third may NOT steal home. This base runner may advance only on a batted ball (not a foul tip), hit batter, walk or balk.

19. Rule 7, Sec 10.D.3 (Page 46) - Remove "manager, coach or”

20. Rule 8, Sec 1 (Page 47) - Add:

EXCEPTION for Crusader and lower: If the pitcher is removed from the pitching position before pitching the four (4)

consecutive innings or twelve (12) consecutive outs, he cannot be returned to the pitching position later in the game, except

in the case of an injured (but not ejected) player.

21. Rule 8, Sec 3 (Page 47) - Replace with:

In all divisions, if a pitcher hits three (3) batters in the same inning or a total of five (5) Batters during a game, the player shall

be removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game. The following conditions shall apply:

A. The batter must make an attempt to get out of the way. (PLATE UMPIRE’S JUDGMENT - NOBODY ELSE’S

OPINION)

B. The pitch must be a called ball.

C. The pitch must not hit the ground, bat, catcher or umpire before striking the batter. (e.g. The ball must have an

uninterrupted flight from the pitcher’s hand to the batter.)

D. This rule shall not preempt any rules regarding intentionally throwing at the batter.

There are two legal pitching position, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time.

Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while standing on the rubber.

Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs, but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides.

Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign.

A.) The Windup Position. The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his entire pivot foot on, or in front of and touching

and not off the end of the pitcher’s plate, and the other foot free. From this position, any natural movement

associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. He

shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter he may take one

step backward, and one step forward with his free foot.

NOTE: When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of his body, with his entire pivot foot on, or in front of

and touching but not off the end of the pitcher’s plate, and his other foot free, he will be considered in a Windup Position.

The pitcher may have one foot, not the pivot foot, off the rubber and any distance he may desire back of a line which is

an extension of the back edge of the pitcher’s plate, but not at either side of the pitcher’s plate. With his "FREE” foot the pitcher may take one step backward and one step forward, but under no circumstances, to either side, that is to either the first base or third base side of the pitcher’s rubber.

If a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of his body, with his entire pivot foot on or in front of and touching but not off the end of the pitcher’s plate, and his other foot free, he will be considered in a Windup Position.

From this Position he may:

1) Deliver the ball to the batter, or

2) Step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off a runner or

3) Disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hands to his sides).

In disengaging the rubber the pitcher first must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set or stretch position-if he does it is a balk.

B) The Set Position: Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the batter with his entire

pivot foot on, or in front of, and in contact with, and not off the end of the pitcher’s plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher’s plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop. From such Set Position he may deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base or step backward off the pitcher’s plate with his pivot foot. Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect to make any natural preliminary motion such as that known as "THE STRETCH”. But if he so elects, he shall come to Set Position before delivering the ball to the batter. After assuming Set Position, any natural motion associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without alteration or interruption.

Preparatory to coming to a Set Position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side: from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in (Rule 8, Sec 4B) without interruption and in one continuous motion.

The whole width of the foot in contact with the rubber must be on the rubber. A pitcher cannot pitch from off the end of the rubber with just the side of his foot touching the rubber.

The pitcher, following his stretch, must (A) hold the ball in both hands in front of his body and (B) come to a complete stop. This must be enforced. Umpires should watch this closely. Pitchers are constantly attempting to "BEAT THE RULE” in their efforts to hold runners on bases and in cases where the pitcher fails to make a complete "STOP” called for in the rules, the umpire should immediately call a "BALK”.

C) At any time during the pitcher’s preliminary movements and until his natural pitching motion commits him to the

pitch, he may throw to any base provided he steps directly toward such base before making the throw. The pitcher shall step "AHEAD OF THE THROW”. A snap throw followed by the step directly toward the base is a balk.

D) If the pitcher makes an illegal pitch with the bases unoccupied, it shall be called a ball unless the batter reaches first

base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter or otherwise.

A ball, which slips out of a pitcher’s hand and crosses the foul line shall be, called a ball; otherwise it will be called

no pitch. This would be a balk with men on base.

E) If the pitcher removes his pivot foot from contact with the pitcher’s plate by stepping backward with that foot, he

thereby becomes an infielder and if he makes a wild throw from that position, it shall be considered the same as a wild throw by any other infielder.

The pitcher, while off the rubber, may throw to any base. If he makes a wild throw, such throw is the throw of an

infielder and what follows is governed by the rules covering a ball thrown by a fielder.

Rule 8, Sec 5. - THE PITCHER SHALL NOT:

A.)

1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18-foot circle surrounding the pitching

rubber.

EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold

weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand.

PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. However, if the pitch is

made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeated offenders shall be subject to discipline by District Chairman.

2) Apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;

3) Expectorate on the ball, either hand or his glove;

4) Rub the ball on his glove, person, or clothing;

5) Deface the ball in any manner;

6) Deliver what is called "SHINE” ball, "SPIT” ball, "MUD” ball or "EMORY” ball. The pitcher, of course, is

allowed to rub the ball between his bare hands &n

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